If you slice them up just right, they can act as tiny green frisbees for your dog to chase across the kitchen. Wheeeeeee!

So cucumbers are a totally safe addition to your dog’s diet, including cucumber skin. That said, it’s always advisable that you check with your vet ahead of time. Additionally, you should wash fresh vegetables before feeding them to anyone, given the amount of pesticides and toxins that are currently used in commercial agricultural practices.

If you’re training your dog or are enrolled in obedience classes, cucumber is a good alternative to traditional dog treats, which are usually loaded with carbs and fats. You may end up with a well-behaved canine companion, but getting fat is really bad for dogs — especially older ones. Overweight dogs often don’t live as long as their lean chums.

So spare the dog and spoil them with a nice and healthy alternative, like a crunchy piece of cucumber. Of course, much like humans, dogs tend to know when something is healthy. As a result, they may not be too into it.

If you can convince your dog to love their veggies, more power to both of you! But please don’t whip up a giant batch of cucumber salad and expect it to serve as a primary food source. When eaten in excess, most human foods can lead to some stomach problems, which include digestion issues and diarrhea. Ruh-roh!

But a little game of cucumber frisbee here and there isn’t going to harm your dog. In fact, it might make them healthier!

Can Dogs Eat Salad?

So you left your salad on the table while you ran to answer the phone, and suddenly, half of it is sticking out of your dog’s smug snout. Should you worry? Most salads are totally fine for dogs, although if your salad or salad dressing contains avocado, onions, or garlic, seek medical attention immediately.

Some salad dressings may cause a bit of an upset stomach in your dog, but in general, a nibble of salad won’t hurt your dog. If your dog displays any of the following symptoms, immediately take them to your nearest animal hospital:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Difficulty breathing

Seizures

Blood in the stool

Wheezing

Lethargy

Irregular heartbeat

If you’ve used a raw vinegar dressing, such as apple cider vinegar, don’t worry too much. Vinegar is fine for dogs to consume, but some dogs are averse to bitter tastes and may spit it back out again!

But as long as you stick to raw cucumber, lettuce, or other easily-digestible vegetables, you and Fido should be A-OK!